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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735832
External Delta Fixator in the Postoperative Management of Microsurgical Flaps in the Lower Limb: Experience of a Tertiary Hospital[*]
Article in several languages: português | EnglishAbstract
Objective To evaluate the use of external fixators in the delta-type kickstand configuration as an adjuvant method in the postoperative period of patients submitted to free flaps in the lower limbs.
Methods A total of 17 external delta fixators were used in patients submitted to free flaps in the lower limbs. The surgical technique was performed in a standardized manner, with the distal pin located 6 cm proximally to the anastomosis, and the proximal pin, 6 cm distally to the anterior tuberosity of the tibia.
Results The mean age of the sample was of 34.76 years (range: 15 to 66 years). In total, 11 men and 6 women were selected. The posterior tibial artery was used in 14 cases, and the anterior tibial artery, in 3 cases. The mean time of use of the external fixators was of 3.88 weeks. The rate of reoperation was of 17.64%; that of retail loss was of 11.76%; that of success rate was of 88.23%; and the rate of infection was of 5.9%.
Conclusion The use of delta-type fixators as an adjunct method in the postoperative period is reliable; however, more studies are needed to evaluate its true role in the postoperative period.
* Study carried out at Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Publication History
Received: 29 December 2020
Accepted: 07 April 2021
Article published online:
25 October 2021
© 2021. Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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